After opening the first quarter with a four-point lead, the Kings managed to score just eleven points in the ensuing quarter, digging into a hole in which they were unable to climb out.
Darren Collison kept Sacramento close with nine-consecutive points in the second quarter, until Memphis ended the frame on a 10-2 run to take a double-digit lead into halftime.
Rudy Gay and Darren paced the Kings on offense with 19 and 18 points, respectively.
“Our offense was pretty well controlled by their defense…our running game never broke the hump, ” said head coach George Karl following the game.